East Lothian Advice

[CanFred]

Finalizing my trip next year and need some advice on East Lothian area courses - so far, I've only reserved a tee time at North Berwick (early afternoon on Friday), but would like to round out that time.  I have ~2 days, so trying to do 36 / 36 (or 36 / 18 at the least).  Here is what I'm considering - please poke holes here:

 

- Gullane 1 / 2 / 3 - would love to include #1, but given the dates I'm there (Friday / Saturday), its quite limited.  Would anyone highly recommend #2?

- Dunbar - have heard great things, but tee times are limited in the morning 

- Kilspindie - have seen mixed feelings, but they are having a women's open one day so that rules it out

- Muirfield - won't be there on a Tuesday / Thursday, so thats out (unless there is a member here that would play with me 😄)

 

What am I missing here?  Anything in this area that is a can't miss?

 

Thanks!

[El Gringo]

Book Dunbar.
 

I recommend Gullane 3. 
 

Don’t overlook Musselburgh Old.

If you don’t mind the 1 hour drive…Goswick is an excellent option. 

 

Luffness New is good. Longniddry is also good. Both are probably a bit too pricey for their quality. 
 

Renaissance is very good and expensive if they are taking visitors. 
 

 

[jatrain]

I’m playing Gullane 3, North Berwick, and Old Musselburgh (for sure) and possibly Dunbar and/or Kilspindie at the end of the month.  
 

I’ll post thoughts.  

[sabram]

12 hours ago, ChrisATL said:

Finalizing my trip next year and need some advice on East Lothian area courses - so far, I've only reserved a tee time at North Berwick (early afternoon on Friday), but would like to round out that time.  I have ~2 days, so trying to do 36 / 36 (or 36 / 18 at the least).  Here is what I'm considering - please poke holes here:

 

- Gullane 1 / 2 / 3 - would love to include #1, but given the dates I'm there (Friday / Saturday), its quite limited.  Would anyone highly recommend #2?

- Dunbar - have heard great things, but tee times are limited in the morning 

- Kilspindie - have seen mixed feelings, but they are having a women's open one day so that rules it out

 😄

For a morning round on the day you play North Berwick, I'd suggest any of the 3 courses at Gullane. They are all fun and in close proximity to NB. Choose the one that has the earliest  available tee time to reduce your rush to get to NB.

 

If none of the Gullane courses ave an open tee time that fits your schedule, consider the Glen which is located just a few minutes away on the other side of the village of North Berwick. I prefer the courses at Gullane, but the Glen is okay and will be convenient for your early PM round at NB West links.

 

On your second day, play Dunbar. Once you book a tee time there, contact the courses that Gringo mentioned to see which may have a tee time that will fit in with your Dunbar tee time taking into account travel time.

 

If none of those courses have availability that fit into your schedule, consider Winterfield. It's located in the village of Dunbar and is not expensive. It has 7 or 8 flat holes on the front nine that are not very exciting, but the first hole and the back 9 are not bad.

 

[CanFred]

13 minutes ago, sabram said:

For a morning round on the day you play North Berwick, I'd suggest any of the 3 courses at Gullane. They are all fun and in close proximity to NB. Choose the one that has the earliest  available tee time to reduce your rush to get to NB.

 

If none of the Gullane courses ave an open tee time that fits your schedule, consider the Glen which is located just a few minutes away on the other side of the village of North Berwick. I prefer the courses at Gullane, but the Glen is okay and will be convenient for your early PM round at NB West links.

 

On your second day, play Dunbar. Once you book a tee time there, contact the courses that Gringo mentioned to see which may have a tee time that will fit in with your Dunbar tee time taking into account travel time.

 

If none of those courses have availability that fit into your schedule, consider Winterfield. It's located in the village of Dunbar and is not expensive. It has 7 or 8 flat holes on the front nine that are not very exciting, but the first hole and the back 9 are not bad.

 

Great feedback - thanks @sabram! Looks like Gullane 2 has some early openings - that may be the play. 

[Roody]

14 hours ago, ChrisATL said:

Finalizing my trip next year and need some advice on East Lothian area courses - so far, I've only reserved a tee time at North Berwick (early afternoon on Friday), but would like to round out that time.  I have ~2 days, so trying to do 36 / 36 (or 36 / 18 at the least).  Here is what I'm considering - please poke holes here:

 

- Gullane 1 / 2 / 3 - would love to include #1, but given the dates I'm there (Friday / Saturday), its quite limited.  Would anyone highly recommend #2?

- Dunbar - have heard great things, but tee times are limited in the morning 

- Kilspindie - have seen mixed feelings, but they are having a women's open one day so that rules it out

- Muirfield - won't be there on a Tuesday / Thursday, so thats out (unless there is a member here that would play with me 😄)

 

What am I missing here?  Anything in this area that is a can't miss?

 

Thanks!

I was just there a little over a month ago, and played all that you listed above with the exception of Murifield and Gullane 1. My thoughts:

• Dunbar was awesome, tied for my favorite with North Berwick of the ones you listed. A must-play IMO. Great views, probably a very underrated course for the lack of attention it seems to get in comparison to some of the other courses. 
• We played Gullane 2 and 3 in the same day. Overall they were probably near the bottom of my list of all 8 courses we played, but it doesn't mean they weren't fun. But if you're not able to play all the courses you mention above, I'd consider shaving off either one or both of the Gullane courses. Gullane #3 is shorter, and has some quirky holes. 
• Kilspindie is fun, very short. We played that as our day 1 warmup course. Jumped right off the plane, into the car, right to Kilspindie. No sleep (except what I managed on the plane). If not for the 40 mph winds we faced all day, I could see it being a very scoreable course. 

Edited August 8, 2024 by Roody

[CanFred]

14 minutes ago, Roody said:

I was just there a little over a month ago, and played all that you listed above with the exception of Murifield and Gullane 1. My thoughts:

• Dunbar was awesome, tied for my favorite with North Berwick of the ones you listed. A must-play IMO. Great views, probably a very underrated course for the lack of attention it seems to get in comparison to some of the other courses. 
• We played Gullane 2 and 3 in the same day. Overall they were probably near the bottom of my list of all 8 courses we played, but it doesn't mean they weren't fun. But if you're not able to play all the courses you mention above, I'd consider shaving off either one or both of the Gullane courses. Gullane #3 is shorter, and has some quirky holes. 
• Kilspindie is fun, very short. We played that as our day 1 warmup course. Jumped right off the plane, into the car, right to Kilspindie. No sleep (except what I managed on the plane). If not for the 40 mph winds we faced all day, I could see it being a very scoreable course. 

Thanks so much @Roody - I've heard great things about Dunbar so I'll see if I can swing that.

[Hawkeye77]

Be a "Friend of the Glen" and play Glen Golf Club in North Berwick.  It's not a true links turf wise, but it is a challenging and fun layout IMO.  Lots of elevation changes, some incredible views, reasonable greens fees.  

 

 

Edited August 8, 2024 by Hawkeye77

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

You probably won’t have time to budget for this, but I have it on good authority that the opening tee shot at Winterfield (next to Dunbar) is one of the best in all of Scotland. I’m truly sad I missed out, and it’s on my list of “must sees” whenever I return. 
 

Also, Dunbar is amazing. Proper golf club. 

Edited August 8, 2024 by Poor Mans Ty Webb

[El Gringo]

5 minutes ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

You probably won’t have time to budget for this, but I have it on good authority that the opening tee shot at Winterfield (next to Dunbar) is one of the best in all of Scotland. I’m truly sad I missed out, and it’s on my list of “must sees” whenever I return. 
 

Also, Dunbar is amazing. Proper golf club. 

I am finally gonna make it to Winterfield in October. I have also never played Craigielaw. It looks interesting from the other side of the wall at Kilspindie. 

[tad950]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

I am finally gonna make it to Winterfield in October. I have also never played Craigielaw. It looks interesting from the other side of the wall at Kilspindie. 

Although a couple of my friends didn’t like it, I thought Craigielaw was fine.  Nothing really dramatic, but a nice place to get acclimated before playing the more well known courses in the area.

[Mostly]

Dunbar is very good (and highly regarded locally).  Winterfield is ok (and quite cheap) but I suspect you’ll enjoy any of the other courses mentioned more.  Gullane courses are all good - if you can’t get 1, then I’d take 2 over 3 unless time is short.  They might be a decent shout for Saturday morning where many courses will have restrictions on visitors.  Craigielaw looks good but it’s a modern course built on farmland that doesn’t play like a links. Kilspindie is short and fun (and hard if the wind is blowing and the rough is up). Worth playing if you were staying longer but probably not one for a short trip like yours (unless you have issues with timings).  The Glen and Longniddry are both good tracks - they aren’t really links if that’s important to you though.  Musselburgh Links (not to be confused with Musselburgh Golf Club or Royal Musselburgh) would be an off beat choice - you can hire hickory clubs for the authentic experience!

[sabram]

6 hours ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

but I have it on good authority that the opening tee shot at Winterfield (next to Dunbar) is one of the best in all of Scotland.

I don't know that it's one of the best, but it is definitely one of the most daunting. It's a par three, 240 yards from the tips,  across a meadow to a plateau green. When I played there it was into a howling wind. You're better off laying up than hitting into the face of the plateau that is covered in deep rough

 

Winterfield #1

 

 

#1 viewed from 8th tee

Edited August 8, 2024 by sabram
to add 2nd photo

[sabram]

5 hours ago, El Gringo said:

I am finally gonna make it to Winterfield in October.

Don't get your expectations too high. There are some fun, interesting holes, but also too many that are not very inspired. Take it for what it is and you can have a fun round

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, Mostly said:

Dunbar is very good (and highly regarded locally).  Winterfield is ok (and quite cheap) but I suspect you’ll enjoy any of the other courses mentioned more.  Gullane courses are all good - if you can’t get 1, then I’d take 2 over 3 unless time is short.  They might be a decent shout for Saturday morning where many courses will have restrictions on visitors.  Craigielaw looks good but it’s a modern course built on farmland that doesn’t play like a links. Kilspindie is short and fun (and hard if the wind is blowing and the rough is up). Worth playing if you were staying longer but probably not one for a short trip like yours (unless you have issues with timings).  The Glen and Longniddry are both good tracks - they aren’t really links if that’s important to you though.  Musselburgh Links (not to be confused with Musselburgh Golf Club or Royal Musselburgh) would be an off beat choice - you can hire hickory clubs for the authentic experience!

I have a lot of time for Musselburgh Old. It’s rough and ready, but plays keen. Several really good holes. Be warned about hickories….the course is not that easy.

[El Gringo]

3 minutes ago, sabram said:

Don't get your expectations too high. There are some fun, interesting holes, but also too many that are not very inspired. Take it for what it is and you can have a fun round

We are treating Winterfield as a trip filler…it’s cheap. May also slip in Gifford…a wee 9 holer I have heard some good things about. I don’t mind trying the cheap courses…sometimes there are some awesome holes at these places to make up for the dull ones.

[CanFred]

Great feedback everyone - glad I asked 🙂 .  Should be able to fill out a nice itinerary around East Lothian with these suggestions.

[scott_Donald]

Gullane 1 is lots of fields with amazing bunkering. I like it

Gullane 2 not played but seems to eat lots of boys trips etc

gullane 3 was awesome on December 27 last year, short and fun, perfect for mid winter

kilspindie was just a field with 1 good hole.

Dunbar is awesome. The Montrose of East Lothian

[hammergolf]

Another vote for Dunbar…

[teejaywhy]

For me, Dunbar was the surprise of our recent trip to Scotland.   Recommended!

 

 

 

[hammergolf]

20 minutes ago, teejaywhy said:

For me, Dunbar was the surprise of our recent trip to Scotland.   Recommended!

 

 

 

Best value in East Lothian….

[sabram]

Click on photo for photos of all holes at Dunbar: 

 

 

[clabarre72]

Any recommendations on a couple things...

 

We are doing St Andrews area for 4 nights and then East Lothian for three nights.

 

Thoughts on lodging in East Lothian? I think we are golfing at North Berwick and Gullane (Dunbar booked already). 

 

Also you think renting a vehicle or hiring driver is the way to go? 

 

Thanks

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, clabarre72 said:

Any recommendations on a couple things...

 

We are doing St Andrews area for 4 nights and then East Lothian for three nights.

 

Thoughts on lodging in East Lothian? I think we are golfing at North Berwick and Gullane (Dunbar booked already). 

 

Also you think renting a vehicle or hiring driver is the way to go? 

 

Thanks

Nether Abbey is a good place to stay. 6A is good if there are just a few going. The Lodge is also good.

[hammergolf]

19 hours ago, clabarre72 said:

Any recommendations on a couple things...

 

We are doing St Andrews area for 4 nights and then East Lothian for three nights.

 

Thoughts on lodging in East Lothian? I think we are golfing at North Berwick and Gullane (Dunbar booked already). 

 

Also you think renting a vehicle or hiring driver is the way to go? 

 

Thanks

Ducks Inn located in Aberlady is a great place. Unfortunately Malcolm sold it a little over a year ago, but I would still recommend 

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Ducks Inn located in Aberlady is a great place. Unfortunately Malcolm sold it a little over a year ago, but I would still recommend 

The new hotel is nothing like Ducks. Much nicer and far more expansive. 

[hammergolf]

10 hours ago, El Gringo said:

The new hotel is nothing like Ducks. Much nicer and far more expansive. 

Sad to hear the “local” charm may be lost.

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Sad to hear the “local” charm may be lost.

The bar is already missed.

[hammergolf]

36 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

The bar is already missed.

So I assume the bar stool putting game is gone as well….. Sad

[jatrain]

On 12/12/2024 at 8:18 PM, clabarre72 said:

Any recommendations on a couple things...

 

We are doing St Andrews area for 4 nights and then East Lothian for three nights.

 

Thoughts on lodging in East Lothian? I think we are golfing at North Berwick and Gullane (Dunbar booked already). 

 

Also you think renting a vehicle or hiring driver is the way to go? 

 

Thanks

I did this exact trip in September.  I stayed at a nice AirBnb in Gullane, an old stable housed.  Very affordable, sleeps two. 
 

It was called the Coach House Stables. 
 

Foodwise in Gullane, The Main Course was very good (Italian), the Old Clubhouse was meh.